Super Typhoon Pongsona Debris Removal
Release Date: January 22, 2003
Release Number: 1446-32
» More Information on Guam Super Typhoon Pongsona
Primary roads: Debris removal and repair of the major numbered roads is done by Guam Department of Public Works (DPW) and is funded by a Federal Highway Administration grant. When an emergency occurs, GovGuam requests relief funding for repair of damage to federally-funded roads from the Federal Highway Administration. This program provides 100 percent funding through a grant to GovGuam. The grant covers emergency repairs necessary to restore essential traffic, debris removal, protection of remaining facilities and reduction of further damage on all primary roads, which in Guam are the numbered roads.
Short-term, emergency work on primary roads: In the interest of public health and safety due to the threat of wind-blown debris from tropical storm 1W, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) temporarily expanded the mission assignment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) beyond work on secondary roads as described below. The USACE led an accelerated effort to clear the island's primary roads of potential windblown objects that remained following Super Typhoon Pongsona. Priority was given to the cleanup of metallic debris. The work concluded when the storm no longer posed a threat.
Secondary roads: The USACE, under a mission assignment from FEMA, is removing debris on secondary or non-numbered roads. The USACE is working with local contractors to accomplish the debris removal. In four-weeks time, more than 4,000 dump-truck loads of debris (64,000 cubic yards) have been removed from the secondary roads of Guam. This program does not cover debris removal from private property. However, if the property owner puts the debris on the roadside adjacent to their property, it will be removed. The debris will be transported to six major typhoon debris reduction sites:
Malojloj - Northeast of the old hardfill and DPW Transfer Station
Asan - Across from the War in the Pacific National Historic Park
Tiyan - Barringada, adjacent to and across from the DMV building
Tamuning - At the old GMH site
Dededo - At the Sports Complex next to the gymnasium
Yigo - South of the GPA substation and gymnasium
Debris removal guidelines for Guam residents: There will be two passes of Guam secondary and smaller roads to pick up typhoon-generated debris. The first pass is now underway. Both the first and second passes should be complete by February 27. GovGuam and the mayors assist in setting priorities of where the crews will work. Because of the danger posed by debris in tropical storms or other winds, residents are urged to put their debris along the edge of the road during the first sweep. The following guidelines apply:
- Place typhoon-generated debris at roadside. Separate metals from construction/demolition debris and make a separate pile for vegetative debris.
- Household hazardous waste such as paint, batteries, pesticides, etc., should be piled separately.
- Transport as much of your debris as possible to one of the six debris reduction sites listed above.
- The collection crews will coordinate with each mayor before initiating work in a village
Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Jan-2003 09:10:10